Rio set to open mammoth Mongolian mine

AUSTRALIAN mining giant Rio Tinto is preparing to open one of the world's biggest copper mines in southern Mongolia, and before it has even started operating the mine has already pushed the country's GDP growth through the roof.

While there are obvious benefits from the mining there are also those who think Mongolia has sold itself short.

Some politicians want to force the company into renegotiating the deal.

Oyu Tolgoi is a long way from everywhere - in the South Gobi Desert, Australia's Rio Tinto has had to bring in or build everything at this massive copper mine at a cost of around $12 billion.